FUNERAL OF BARBER — DI^TH OF BROWN. 178 
came down stairs, cloak and bonnet on, they were already out of 
sight. T. said, “ We ’ll not lose our ride in this way,” and sug¬ 
gested taking Mr. P.’s buggy, which was in a sadly dilapidated 
condition, and a mule of somebody’s else, quartered in the barn 
for a few days. My only question was as to safety, and we were 
soon rattling over the drifts, now one side inclining far down, 
threatening to spill us out, and then the other. This incessant 
rattling put speed into the wild mule, and a John Gilpin ride we 
had of it for the first quarter of a mile. However, by clinging to 
the fratne-work of the seat, for there was nothing left of it but the 
frame-work, we passed over the ravine at the foot of the long slop¬ 
ing hill w T est of the house, in safety, and the mule took an easier 
gait both for himself and us. We reached the place of our desti¬ 
nation. A gentleman opened the door, and asked very blandly, 
“ Is this the state carriage ? ” 
Doctor having had a more recent title than that of general 
bestowed upon him, I answered, “ Yes ; and will your wife 
accept the honor of a ride ? ” 
He looked with a dubious expression at the broken dasher, 
swinging forward and back at every motion, the bottom half 
broken out, the shafts tieJ on with ropes, and the seat cushion¬ 
less, and destitute of every bit of leather it ever boasted, to say 
nothing of broken springs, and wheels with tire half off, and said, 
“Yes, if you will injure her safety.” 
With blue blankets before and around us, instead of buffalo- 
robes, we were soon on our way to town, and hurried along at the 
mule’s own pace. We laughed until we were weary at the mule’s 
antic motions, never before having had the honor of a ride after 
one. T. and Mrs. C., both Boston- bred, laughed at the idea of 
what an impression such an establishment, and such speed, would 
make down Washington-street some pleasant winter’s day. After 
a short call at our stores, than which there are none better in 
most New England villages, neatly furnished as some of them are 
with black walnut shelves and counters, we went home. 
Letters from Kansas city and Leavenworth state that some 
deep-laid scheme for our ruin is being planned. They do not 
know what it is, yet advise us to prepare for the worst. There 
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